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was the precise reason why all members of our family agreed to the initiation of my elder son Jaswant.
I too had a desire for Diksha then. But my younger son was just five years of age. It was therefore necessary that I should wait for some time. But I was used to take to propitiation as much as possible even in the life of a householder.
Our son Mahendra had, at the time of the 99 pilgrimages, had his detachment enriched and he nourished a desire for Diksha. He gave up his study of matriculation, and stayed at Patan for religious studies. He studies the five Pratikramanas, Prakarana, Bhashya etc. Daily Pratikramana, boiled water etc. were also taken by him.
In Samvat 2023, it was resolved that I take to Diksha. But as my wife and Mahendra were not keen, I inquired of the auspicious time for my Diksha in secret. At that time one daughter of my brother too was keen.
As per the custom in our society, we two were going for Vayana for meals. In the middays of the month Mahendra and his mother prepared themselves for Diksha. One brother's daughter, who had gone around the pilgrimage of Sametshikhar, also desired to join us for Diksha. Thus, the Dikshas of us five were fixed on the 10th bright day of the month of Maha in Samvat 2023.
The village was full of enthusiasm because of five Dikshas from the same house. Invitations were sent to different villages. The villagers on their own wrote letters to their relatives to attend this rare function. The villagers told us that they would cater to the cornfort of all who attended, whatever their number. They were prepared all alert for any work.
